Search

Not that you’d know it from the recent news cycle, but Hurricane Katrina affected more than just George Bush and Kanye West.

While the Hurricane may have provided an opportunity for these two wealthy men to discuss who does or does not care about black people, or what their political and social legacies will be, it served quite a different function for a few other folks: thousands of people lost their homes, their belongings, their families, and sometimes their lives as a result of the disaster.

The victims of Hurricane Katrina deserve justice, and this week brought them one step closer. As reported by The Root and the Chicago Tribune, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced this week that they will be giving $132 million in federal funds to help poor residents whose homes remain damaged as a result of the catastrophic event.

According to the Mississippi Development Authority, the money for the initiative will come from “reshuffling” funds for other projects planned with federal recovery dollars, and will be used to help folks rebuild damaged homes or find new places to live.

This is an important step, especially given the staggering amount of rebuilding that is still required in the region: The Mississippi Center for Justice estimates that there are still at least 5,000 storm-battered homes statewide, with many more in neighboring state Louisiana.

For more details on some of the politics behind this decision and others affecting Katrina victims, visit the Root.

Brooklyn, NY

Lori Adelman is Executive Director of Partnerships at Feministing, where she enjoys creating and curating content on gender, race, class, technology, and the media. Lori is also an advocacy and communications professional specializing in sexual and reproductive rights and health, and currently works in the Global Division of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. A graduate of Harvard University, she lives in Brooklyn.

Lori Adelman is an Executive Director of Feministing in charge of Partnerships.

In a week marked by tragedy, an important op-ed published in the NY Times reminds us that there are people still suffering from the US’s anti-terrorism efforts. Two Gitmo detainees on hunger strike tell their story through their lawyers for us to read.

I’ve been on a hunger strike since Feb. 10 and have lost well over 30 pounds. I will not eat until they restore my dignity.

I’ve been detained at Guantánamo for 11 years and three months. I have never been charged with any crime. I have never received a trial.

I could have been home years ago — no one seriously thinks I am a threat — but still I ...

In a week marked by tragedy, an important op-ed published in the NY Times reminds us that there are people still suffering from the US’s anti-terrorism efforts. Two Gitmo detainees on hunger strike tell their story ...

Last summer, Calliope Wong, then a high school senior, began an open-letter campaign regarding the admissions policies of Smith College. Calliope had hoped to apply for admission to their undergraduate program. But as a trans woman, Calliope encountered an admissions policy at Smith with such prohibitively high demands and so many inconsistencies that her application was ultimately denied consideration, even after following instructions given to her through repeated, direct communication with members of the Smith College administration in which they encouraged her to apply. (Here’s a photo of the rejection letter she received, courtesy Transwomen@Smith Tumblr)

The actions of the Smith College administration constitute a discriminatory bar against trans women. But after reaching out to over ...

Last summer, Calliope Wong, then a high school senior, began an open-letter campaign regarding the admissions policies of Smith College. Calliope had hoped to apply for admission to their undergraduate program. But as a trans ...